A Bremen company has informed the state that it’s unsure how long employees furloughed or laid off in the spring will remain that way.

Vice-President  - Finance and Administration for Universal Bearings stated in a WARN Notice that because of the unforeseeable COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic impact to theindustry and  businesses, UB unfortunately implemented temporary furloughs/layoffs at its facilities located at 226 N. Birkey Drive and 431 N. Birkey Drive in Bremen. These temporary furloughs/layoffs began on April 13.

The notice goes on to state that UB expects the temporary furloughs/layoffs to extend beyond six months due to these unforeseen, historic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, UB does not know if any of these furloughs/layoffs will be permanent, but it is possible that presently unforeseeable circumstances may cause UB to make changes in the future.

UB anticipates 61 of its employees from 16 departments will be affected by these extended furloughs/layoffs. UB implemented three separate layoffs, two in April and one in June which reduced its headcount from 360, preCOVID-19 to 201 at the end of June.  Since the end of June, UB has recalled 73 employees. Those employees who were laid off but have not yet been recalled will likely not be recalled before the six month period noted in the WARN Act.